I Forgive Myself And Yourself

This track is based on the understanding that suffering is a result of craving and misunderstanding reality. It is a simple repetition of phrases of forgiveness with the intention of opening our hearts to love and peace. It's also meant as either a set up for a long practice beyond the ending bell, or used as is when you are short on time or energy or simply want a quick forgiveness jam.

Transcript

Hello.

Let's practice.

Settle into your posture and start relaxing your body,

Starting with your head,

Your face,

Neck and shoulders,

Upper torso,

Your belly,

Hips,

Upper legs,

Lower legs,

And your arms.

This practice is from the understanding that our suffering comes from not understanding reality correctly,

That wanting things to be different than they are is craving,

And craving is suffering.

With that in mind,

We use one simple phrase to begin.

I forgive myself for not understanding.

Repeat this phrase over to yourself in your mind and pay attention to what arises.

Whatever arises is simply an indication of what you need to forgive in this moment.

Wandering mind,

For example,

Comes up.

I forgive myself for wandering mind and stay with forgiving that for a while until I feel the right to let it go.

Then return to I forgive myself for not understanding.

I forgive myself for not understanding.

Perhaps something you've done that's unskillful comes to mind.

Forgive yourself for that.

I forgive myself for mistreating my sister.

Stay with that until you're ready to return.

It's important to keep an attitude of forgiveness.

The feeling may arise of openness and expansiveness,

But the most important part is that you keep that part of yourself open to forgiving yourself and others.

That intention is enough.

Perhaps resisting this practice arises.

You can switch to I forgive myself for not wanting to forgive.

I forgive myself for resenting.

Perhaps someone else comes to your mind,

Something that was done to you.

You can switch to forgiving them as well.

I forgive you for abandoning me.

I forgive you for not listening to me,

Whatever the case may be.

Keeping in mind that anything anyone's done to you comes from a place of their lack of understanding as well.

So you might just simply say,

I forgive you for not understanding.

Continue this practice as long as you like,

And I'll ring the bell here at the end of the track.

Thanks for your practice.

Reviews

I just came across your meditations and look forward to hearing more. Thank you, a fellow traveler